Professional is as Professional Does

My first-born daughter, Chelsea, will be beginning her senior year this coming fall at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.  She's come so far in such a short amount of time.  She has most definitely found a thriving learning community, including mentors, admired professors and lots and lots of friends!  She is learning the value of hard work, dedication and commitment as she strives to meet her goals in her chosen mass communications field of study.  She's taking on Student Government roles, works as a film-editing tutor in the computer lab, is a member of various on-campus organizations such as GLO, SAFE, PRSSA, Flashlight (the university newspaper), MUTV, WNTE and is the current Vice President of the Organizational Communications Club (OCC) - just to name a few!   Can you blame me for beaming with pride?!  She's a shining star!  

The thing that I have been saying to her most recently (other than how proud of her I am) is to begin thinking of yourself as a professional and acting as a professional, too.  And I would say this very same thing to every junior and senior year college student, as well.  This is the time to embrace a professional attitude and act on it.  

I noticed that she needed some head shots for her LinkedIn profile, and for the website she has launched with her film portfolio.  Keeping in mind that prospective clients and employers will have easy access to view her work and get to know her a bit, it's imperative that she look the professional part.  So… we finally found some time to create a few head shots for her to use.  Take a look at my girl and her beautiful, smart, fun portraits created with love by her proud momma.   :-))) 

"I believe film has the power to change the world and I want to be a part of that."

Chelsea Simmers

For any junior or senior year Mansfield University student interested in having some professional head shots created, I plan to be on your campus Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26 wielding my camera and looking for you.  I am offering a special mini-session head shot series just for Mansfield students (up to 5 digital files for you to use as needed for your professional portfolio and 20 minutes of photographing time on campus) for $50.  If 12 or more students sign up by Friday, April 18, the price will be reduced to $45 per mini-session.  So, please, tell your friends to get involved, too!  Session times are limited.  Please email me today with your name and contact info to secure your session.  my3girlsphotography@gmail.com or call me:  610.856.1783

Think spring flowers, green grass and professional head shots!  I can't wait to meet you!!  What fun it'll be!   

all images within are expressly owned and copyrighted: ©  My 3 Girls Photography 2014

thank you for respecting the artist's integrity

the pause between asleep and awake

Now is the pause between asleep and awake:

Two seasons take

A colour and quality each from each as yet.

The new stage-set

Spandril, column and fan of spring is raised against the

winter backdrop

Murrey and soft;

Now aloft

The sun swings on the equinoctial line.

Few flowers yet shine:

The hellebore hangs a clear green bell and opulent leaves

above dark mould;

The light is cold

In arum leaves, and a primrose flickers

Here and there; the first cool bird-song flickers in the thicket.

Clouds arc pale as the pollen from sallows;

March fallows are white with lime like frost.

This is the pause between asleep and awake:

The pause of contemplation and of peice,

Before the earth must teem and the heart ache.

This is the child's pause, before it sees

That the choice of one way has denied the other ;

Must choose the either, or both, of to care and not to care;

Before the light or darkness shall discover

Irreparable loss; before it must take

Blame for the creature caught in the necessary snare:

Receiving a profit, before it holds a snare. 

The Spring Equinox by Anne Barbara Ridler

all images within are expressly owned and copyrighted: ©  My 3 Girls Photography 2014

thank you for respecting the artist's integrity

Dear Daughters - It's My Birthday!

It's my birthday!  Number forty-five!  Hooray! :-) I know, I should probably feel some remorse, some self-pity, or dread at officially being in the middle of my life, however … for whatever reason … I feel awesome!  Listen up, 20-somethings and 30-somethings looking ahead in your own life, they never told me how much better life actually gets.  It certainly does.  I feel better now than I did in my 20s!!  Sure, I could stay up and party all night then - something I have no desire to do now..  No, it's something deeper in my soul that feels at ease, calm, more sure.  It's an acceptance that feels so good.  When I was in my 20s, I was so busy rushing through life, working in the corporate world to attain my goals, to pay bills, to buy our first home, to raise my first-born daughter in the best possible way I knew how.  I was a worrier - about everything.  You know what, I do not worry near as much now.  

Then a shift happened in my early 30s and I left the corporate world and entered college for the first time in my life.  Scared?  Oh, you betcha I was!!  Although, my dream to teach children outweighed my fears.  Plus, I have the most wonderful, supportive husband in God's glorious universe.  I found out that I love learning, pushing my boundaries and that I (me!) actually have something special to contribute.  It was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.  In my late thirties, my husband and I welcomed our two youngest daughters - and more blessings than I could ever imagine for our family life.  When I look back at the timeline of my life, I've come to realize that I am completely and utterly unconventional!!  And, I like that about me.  It works.  Throughout my life, one thing has always been a constant.  Something I have always expressed a deep interest in and that something is art and photography.  If I wasn't creating a mural on a baby's room wall, or rearranging furniture, or painting the interior walls of our home, or watercoloring invitations to family parties, or setting up photo ops for my girls, or designing a garden bed, or making something for someone, any form of creative expression than I was probably dreaming up my next creative project!  It was only fitting for me to start my own photography business, as it was a natural progression of my self expression and fulfills a deep desire I have to create art.  Plus, photography has been an integral part of my life since early childhood.  It fits.  When I'm in the creative process, I am happiest, at peace, and feel closer to God than at any other time.  Expressing myself creatively is a spiritual rejuvenation for me.  

So .. on that note.  The next part of this post is for my girls.  These words of wisdom are to be passed along, and I hope they will read this one day and nod in agreement, "yea, that sounds like mom!" :)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Dearest Daughters, 

As I celebrate my forty-fifth year, I have plenty to reflect on and I'd like to share some words of wisdom with you.  I know each of you will understand my intentions and the meaning behind my words when you are ready.  It's the precious gift of learning, experiencing life and the growth that comes to everyone at precisely the right moment.  No worries, my loves.  Your purpose will be fulfilled.  I feel most assured.  You are each a ray of light in my life and I am the proudest mommy ever!  

+  Be grateful.  Show your gratitude.  Do not hold back.  When you feel thankful - say it, show it.  Your cup will overflow every time. 

+  Help others.  Help them to see their potential, their light, their special gifts.  If someone is in need, reach out.  When lifting another, you ultimately lift yourself.  It's a win-win!

+  Love yourself.  Self love is extremely important - for everything extends from it.  Take time to reflect on your feelings, thoughts, and care for yourself.  Journal.  Meditate.  Practice yoga regularly.  Exercise.  Take exceptional care of your skin and teeth.  Cleanse.  Moisturize.  Brush.  Floss.  Cleanse.  Moisturize.  Brush.  Floss.  And drink water mostly!    

+  Watch your words.  Again, everything will flow from them.  If you are constantly focusing on negative words and lack, than that's what will transpire in your life.  But, if you focus on positive words and abundance, than that is what will transpire in your life.  It's up to you.  Which would you prefer? 

+  Save your money.  Save your money.  Save your money.  Learn this habit as soon as possible.  When you receive money or payment from another, learn to honor that money by paying yourself first.  By paying yourself, by putting it aside, either in an account, piggy bank, or locked box, you will honor yourself and your hard work by doing so. 

+  Follow your passion.  Follow your heart.  Listen to that small voice inside of you.  Above all else, definitely, most assuredly listen to that voice!  It is there to guide you, to counsel you, and it will not steer you in the wrong direction.  If something feels wrong in your heart and that wee voice tells you so, please, please, listen to it.  I cannot stress this one enough.  Learn to trust that voice.  For that voice is your heart, your soul, your life's north star -- follow it.  

+  Use your gifts.  Use your gifts to the fullest capacity!!  You each have such beautiful gifts, too.  When you use your gifts, putting them in action, you will find that not only will you be fulfilled, and rejuvenated by them, everyone else will be too!  You each have so much to offer already - I'm so excited to watch you flourish and grow as you answer the call of your spirit.  It's a thrill that I will never tire of.  So, use your gifts to the best of your abilities and align yourself with everything else that I have mentioned and the sky's the limit, baby!!!  

Thank you for listening to your momma ramble words of advice.  I hope you know how proud I am of each of you.  Being your mom is an honor and I love you with my entire being, every last fiber of me.  Happy Birthday to me!!!  

Life - Bring on more awesomeness!!   I'm ready!!  And so very thankful!!  

In the Month of March | Promotional Offer for Couples Getting Married

I am happy to welcome the month of March today!  It felt great to turn that calendar over and see so many fabulous things coming this month!!  This polar vortex of a winter has not been kind to us, and to see that in just 19 days we (in the northern hemisphere) will welcome with great enthusiasm the return of spring and the vernal equinox!!  OH, YAY!!! **insert happy dance right here. :o) **  I've been working on some different projects lately and some exciting things to announce in the next few weeks.   But, for today, I have something extra sweet to extend to couples making preparations to wed in 2014 - 2015.  If this happens to be you and your one and only, than please read on!  Likewise, if you know of someone in these soon-to-be-wedded shoes, would you kindly share my offerings with them?  I'd be much obliged and grateful to you.  For everyone else, continue reading anyway!  I'm glad you are here and I've included some lovely springtime images to hopefully invoke warmth, reminding you that we will see the greens of March return to us.  Oh, yes, we will!    

Feeling warmer yet?  Me too!!!  

My wedding photography offer details:

Contact me this March month; let's chat about your very special day, check the calendar and work out ideas in order to custom build your own wedding photography package.  After the initial consult, we'll schedule a coffee (or tea .. I like both!) date - my treat - where we will meet to further discuss the details of your wedding.  With each signed wedding photography contract in the month of March, a $200 print credit will be extended as my gift to you.  This print credit will be applied to your wedding gallery and will be included in your contract at no additional cost.  Plus, the first 5 brides to contact me will also receive a 20" x 30" Fine Art Giclée Canvas Gallery Wrap print!!  That's a $194 savings to be passed along to you!  So, there it is, my friends!  Please do not delay, as my calendar is filling up quickly this year, and I'd like to completely fill it in.  You may email me:  my3girlsphotography@gmail.com or call today:  610.856.1783 

Thanks greatly!  I look forward to hearing from you and also for the return of springtime!!  Do I hear you shaking your head along with me?!!  ;-)  

Warm, green thoughts to each and everyone!   

all images within are expressly owned and copyrighted: ©  My 3 Girls Photography 2014

thank you for respecting the artist's integrity